Lot 003Coin values
1943-P Jefferson War Nickel
PHILADELPHIA · 35% SILVER, 56% COPPER, 9% MANGANESE · 271,165,000 STRUCK
Worth about $3.50–$5 circulated and $45–$55 in MS-65.
The 1943-P Jefferson War Nickel is a common date from the Philadelphia Mint, with 271,165,000 pieces struck. In circulated grades (G-4 to EF-40) our estimate is $3.50–$5, and a well-preserved MS-65 example is estimated at $45–$55.
The first time a P mint mark appeared on a US coin.
First time a P mint mark appeared on a U.S. coin.
Type coin shown: Jefferson war nickel design: 1938 obverse (the obverse did not change) with the reverse of a 1945-P war nickel, large P above Monticello. We do not yet hold a licensed photograph of the 1943-P Jefferson War Nickel itself, so this is the nearest dated coin of the same design. The design is the same; the date and condition of your coin will differ. Photograph: 1938 Jefferson nickel obverse (same design as the war nickels), National Numismatic Collection and 1945-P Jefferson war nickel reverse with the large P above Monticello (photograph by Bobby131313). Public domain, credit US Mint (coin), National Numismatic Collection (photograph by Jaclyn Nash), via Wikimedia Commons.
- Mint
- Philadelphia
- Composition
- 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese
- Mintage
- 271,165,000
- Weight and size
- 5 g · 21.2 mm
- Designer
- Felix Schlag
Among the more plentiful: 100% of issues in the series have a smaller mintage. 271,165,000 struck. Mintage is the number struck, not the number that survive.
Large P above the dome
The large P above Monticello shows the nickel is silver. All 1943 nickels carry the large mark.
Large mint mark above the dome
Silver war nickels carry a large P, D or S above Monticello. Nickels dated 1942 with a small mint mark to the right of the building are copper-nickel, not silver.
Wear and toning
The silver alloy tones to a gray or dull color, and many have been cleaned. Check the large mint mark and the steps of Monticello for wear.
About the 1943-P War Nickel
How much is a 1943-P Jefferson War Nickel worth?
Lustre's editorial estimate (Oct 2026) is $3.50–$5 for circulated examples (G-4 to EF-40) and $45–$55 in MS-65. These are estimates, not an appraisal or market data. A coin in the grade you hold may sell for less at a dealer, who needs a margin.
Is a 1943-P Jefferson War Nickel silver?
Yes. It is 35% silver, 56% copper, 9% manganese and weighs 5 g, which is 0.0563 troy ounces of pure silver. Its melt value is that weight multiplied by the current silver spot price, shown live on this page.
How many 1943-P Jefferson War Nickels were minted?
271,165,000 were struck at the Philadelphia Mint. First time a P mint mark appeared on a U.S. coin.
Where is the mint mark on a Jefferson War Nickel?
On the reverse, a large P, D or S above the dome of Monticello. Wartime nickels are the only ones to carry a P for Philadelphia.
Is my 1943-P Jefferson War Nickel rare?
No. It is a common date. Its value depends mostly on grade, originality and, for silver coins, the melt value.
More Jefferson War Nickel values
Where these numbers come from
Jefferson nickel, Wikipedia: wartime composition, weight, diameter, edge, mint mark position, designer, 1943 overdate.
Jefferson nickel mintage, Landofcoins.com: mintage by year and mint.
Lustre editorial grade-value estimates, Lustre: grade value ranges (estimates, not market data).
gold-api.com spot prices (reference level for estimates), gold-api.com: reference spot prices behind the estimates.
How the estimates are made. Facts reviewed Oct 2026.